LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 May 1938, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Suspected Diphtheria. A suspected case of diphtheria, a boy, has been admitted to the Masterton Hospital for treatment. Flooded Rivers.

Exceptionally heavy rain fell in the ranges during the week-end. Yesterday the Ruamahanga and other rivers rising in the Tararuas were in heavy flood. At Wardell’s Bridge the Ruamahanga was running bank-high. Harriers Entertained.

On Saturday evening the Kiatere Harrier Club entertained the members of the Olympic Harrier Club, Wellington, at a dance in the Arcade Hall, when a very enjoyable time was spent. The visitors later returned to Wellington. After the Turnbull Cup contest on Saturday afternoon, both teams were entertained at afternoon tea by the ladies’ committee of the club.

New Use for Radio. Moisture seeping through cracks in the ground in the Square. Palmer-ton

North, has been responsible for frui’ls in the underground cables carrying electricity. It is thought that the long dry spell of weather opened up the cracks and the penetration of moisture affected the cables, which have been unearthed for repair. In one case a portable radio set was used to locate the point of a fault. Passers-by were amused to see workmen swing their picks and push their shovels to the music of a broadcasting station. The method of tracing the leaks, however, was most effective and accurate.

Catholic Centenary. The Catholic centenary celebrations in New Zealand have undoubtedly impressed churchmen’from overseas very strongly, writes a London correspondent. Dr A. H. Ryan, professor in scholastic philosophy at Queen’s University, Belfast, who has just returned from the Dominion, was quite as enthusiastic over the organisation of the event as was the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr T. P. Gilmarton, who arrived back a week earlier. “I expected great things from the Catholics of New Zealand,” Dr Ryan said, “but the brilliance of the functions and the wonderful organisation of the whole centenary far surpassed anything I expected.” ’

Bible Reading in Schools. Although the Bible is being read in New Zealand public schools more than at any time since 1877, only half the children are being reached, states the annual report of the New Zealand Bible in Schools League. A steady increase in the number of pupils being taught during the half-hour period under the Nelson system is noted. Official figures received from the education boards in December, 1937, showed that a total of 91,444 children were having Bible readings. A year ago, it is stated, the number of children having Bible readings was under 50; today the number is well over 350. In over half of these weekly Bible instruction is also given.

Increase in Flying. A marked increase in all forms of civil flying in New Zealand, both by regular service lines and by aero clubs, is disclosed in a return issued by the Controller of Civil Aviation, Group Captain T. M. Wilkes, for the quarter ended March 31, and also for the 12 months ended at the same date. The figures show that Rongotai, as regards passenger traffic, is easily the busiest aerodrome. During the year, company passenger planes flew 1,500,000 miles, and aero club machines 1,800,000 miles, the exact grand total being 3,306,483. Included in the total of 59,859 passengers carried were 8303 by aero clubs, and the flying hours totalled 32,319, including 19,295 hours flown by club machines. Mails totalled 216,2381 b., and freight 91,7031 b.